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Published on: March 1, 2019
Office-based randomized controlled trial to reduce screen time in preschool children.
Catherine S Birken1, Jonathon Maguire, Magda Mekky
1Division of Paediatric Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. catherine.birken@sickkids.ca
Pediatrics
|November 7, 2012
Summary
A primary care intervention for preschoolers did not reduce screen time or BMI. However, it successfully decreased the number of meals eaten in front of the television, suggesting targeted strategies may be needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Excessive screen time in early childhood is a growing concern.
- Childhood obesity and sedentary behaviors are significant public health issues.
- Primary care settings offer opportunities for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a behavioral counseling intervention in reducing screen time.
- To assess the intervention's impact on meals consumed in front of the television.
- To determine the intervention's effect on Body Mass Index (BMI) in preschool-aged children.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 3-year-old children and their parents.
- Participants were assigned to an intervention group receiving counseling on reducing screen time or a control group.
- Outcomes, including screen time, meals in front of the television, and BMI, were assessed at 1 year.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in mean screen time between the intervention and control groups.
- A statistically significant reduction was found in the number of weekday meals eaten in front of the television in the intervention group (P = .03).
- The intervention did not lead to significant differences in BMI or the number of televisions in the child's bedroom.
Conclusions:
- A short behavioral intervention in primary care was ineffective in reducing overall screen time or BMI in preschoolers.
- The intervention showed effectiveness in reducing the frequency of meals consumed in front of the television.
- Findings suggest that interventions solely focused on screen time reduction may require more intensive or targeted strategies for this age group.
